Top 13 'Cross-Silo' Networking Tips to Pursue for Career Growth in Your Current Company
Ever felt like your company is a collection of islands? You're on the "Marketing" island, your friend is on "Engineering," and you both vaguely know that "Finance" island exists somewhere across the sea of cubicles. You do great work, hit your targets, and get positive reviews, but your career trajectory feels a bit... flat. You see opportunities pop up in other departments, but you feel disconnected, like an outsider looking in.
This feeling of isolation is a classic symptom of working in a "silo"—a rigid structure where departments operate independently with little collaboration. While silos can create focus, they are notorious for stifling innovation, creating inefficiencies, and, most importantly for you, killing internal career growth. If no one outside your immediate team knows who you are or the value you bring, how can you expect to be considered for that exciting new role in a different division?
The solution isn't to just work harder within your bubble. The solution is to intentionally and strategically break it down. This is where "cross-silo networking" comes in. It’s the art of building meaningful professional relationships with colleagues outside of your direct team and department. It's about transforming from a specialist known only to a few into a well-rounded, well-connected professional recognized across the organization. This is your secret weapon for unlocking internal mobility, gaining broader business acumen, and making yourself indispensable.
Here are 13 powerful, practical cross-silo networking tips you can start using today to build bridges and accelerate your career growth right where you are.
1. Proactively Join Cross-Functional Projects
This is the number one, most effective way to network across silos because it's built directly into your work. Cross-functional projects, by definition, pull together individuals from various departments to achieve a common goal. It’s a natural, low-pressure way to showcase your skills, work ethic, and collaborative spirit to a whole new group of people, including managers and leaders you might otherwise never interact with.
Instead of waiting for your manager to assign you to one, take the initiative. Keep an eye on company-wide communications for announcements about new initiatives. Let your manager know you’re interested in gaining broader experience and would be keen to contribute to projects involving, for example, the product development and customer success teams. This not only gets you on the project but also signals your ambition and commitment to the company's success.
When you're on the project, don't just put your head down and do your part. Be curious. Ask your new teammates from other departments about their roles, their challenges, and how their work contributes to the project's goals. This is your chance to learn the business from multiple perspectives while proving you’re a valuable team player.
2. Schedule "Curiosity Coffees" (Virtual or In-Person)
The idea of "networking" can feel transactional and intimidating. Reframe it as being curious. Identify someone in a department you're interested in—maybe you saw their name on an interesting project update or admired their presentation in a town hall. Send them a brief, friendly email or instant message.
A great template is: "Hi [Name], I'm [Your Name] from the [Your Department] team. I was really impressed by the work your team did on the [Specific Project]. I'm keen to learn more about how the [Their Department] department operates. Would you be open to a quick 15-20 minute virtual coffee chat sometime next week?" Most people are happy to talk about their work, and your genuine interest will make a positive impression.
Prepare one or two thoughtful questions in advance, such as "What does a typical week look like in your role?" or "What's the biggest challenge your team is focused on right now?" The goal isn't to ask for a job; it's to learn, listen, and build a genuine connection. These small, informal chats are the seeds of a strong internal network.
3. Leverage Internal Communication Tools Strategically
Your company’s internal tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Workplace by Meta are networking goldmines. Don't just use them for direct messages with your immediate team. Join public channels that align with your professional or personal interests. Is there a #product-updates channel, a #marketing-wins channel, or even a #book-club or #running-enthusiasts channel?
Participate thoughtfully in these channels. Don't just be a lurker. When someone from another team shares a success, react to it or leave a positive comment like, "Amazing work, congrats to the data science team on this launch!" When someone asks a question you can answer, provide a helpful response. This consistent, positive, and helpful presence makes your name familiar across the company in a very organic way.
Think of it as building your internal brand. You become known not just for your job title, but as the helpful person who knows about X or the one who always shares interesting articles about Y. It’s a low-effort, high-impact way to increase your visibility.
4. Become a Mentor or Find a Mentor from Another Silo
Mentorship is a powerful two-way street for cross-departmental connection. If your company has a formal mentorship program, sign up immediately. Request a mentor from a department you want to learn more about. This gives you structured, one-on-one time with a more experienced colleague who can offer you a different perspective on the business, introduce you to their network, and advocate for you.
Alternatively, consider becoming a mentor yourself. You might be the perfect guide for a new hire or a junior employee in a completely different part of the organization. Teaching someone else about your role and department forces you to clarify your own understanding and articulate your value. In my work as a career strategist, I, Goh Ling Yong, have seen that the act of mentoring often provides as much value to the mentor as it does to the mentee, establishing you as a leader and a valuable resource.
If no formal program exists, create your own. After a few "curiosity coffees," you might find someone whose career path you admire. You could then ask if they'd be open to a more regular, informal mentorship chat once a quarter. It's a fantastic way to build a deeper, more lasting professional relationship.
5. Attend (and Participate in) Company-Wide Meetings
It’s easy to tune out during a company-wide town hall or all-hands meeting, especially if it's virtual. Resist that temptation. These meetings are a rare opportunity to get a high-level view of the entire business and see who the key players are in different divisions. Pay attention to which leaders are presenting and which projects are being highlighted.
The real power move is to participate. If there’s a Q&A session, prepare a thoughtful, strategic question. Instead of asking something that only pertains to your team, ask a question that shows you're thinking about the bigger picture. For example, "That's an exciting new marketing initiative. How do you see the customer support and product teams collaborating to ensure a smooth user experience?"
Asking a smart question in a public forum does two things: it gets your name and face in front of senior leadership, and it demonstrates that you are a strategic thinker who cares about the company as a whole, not just your little corner of it.
6. Volunteer for Internal Committees or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
Does your company have a social committee, a wellness committee, a diversity and inclusion council, or ERGs for different affinity groups? Volunteering for one of these is a fantastic way to meet and work with a diverse group of colleagues in a context completely separate from your day-to-day job.
These groups often have a mix of employees from all levels and departments, from entry-level coordinators to senior vice presidents. Working together to plan an event or launch an initiative allows you to build rapport and demonstrate skills like project management, communication, and leadership in a lower-stakes environment.
This is how you meet the "connectors" in the organization—the people who seem to know everyone. Building a good relationship with them can be invaluable. Plus, it shows you're an engaged employee who is invested in the company culture, which is a highly valued trait.
7. Make Your Team’s Work Visible
You can't build a bridge from just one side. A great way to encourage other departments to connect with you is to make it easy for them to understand what you do. Don't assume everyone knows the value your team provides. Be a champion for your department's work.
This could be as simple as sharing a significant team achievement in a public Slack channel or a company-wide newsletter. Frame it in terms of its impact on the broader business. Instead of "Our team finished the Q3 report," try "The finance team just wrapped our Q3 analysis, which revealed a 15% increase in customer retention from the new product feature. Happy to share insights with the Product and Marketing teams!"
You can also host informal "lunch and learn" sessions. Invite other departments to a 30-minute presentation where you explain what your team does, what your priorities are, and how you can help them. This proactive communication demystifies your silo and positions you and your team as collaborative partners.
8. Learn the Language of Other Departments
Every department has its own acronyms, jargon, and priorities. The engineering team talks about "sprints" and "technical debt," while the marketing team is focused on "CAC" and "MQLs." Making an effort to understand and speak the language of other departments is a powerful sign of respect and a great way to build rapport.
Before meeting with someone from another team, do a little homework. If you’re meeting with a product manager, read up on the basics of agile methodology. If you’re talking to a sales leader, understand the difference between a lead and a prospect. You don’t need to be an expert, but showing you’ve made an effort to understand their world will make your conversations far more productive and meaningful.
This knowledge also helps you frame your own ideas in a way that resonates with them. When you can explain how your project will help them achieve their specific goals, using their terminology, you’re far more likely to get their buy-in and support.
9. Master the Org Chart and Identify Key Influencers
Your company’s organizational chart is more than just a list of names and titles; it’s a map of power, influence, and information flow. Take some time to study it. Understand not just your own reporting line, but how other departments are structured. Who are the key decision-makers? Who are the managers and directors of the teams you want to build relationships with?
Beyond the formal chart, start to identify the informal influencers. These are the people who may not have a fancy title but are highly respected and well-connected. They are the "go-to" people for information or help. They might be a senior project manager, a long-tenured executive assistant, or a principal engineer.
Once you’ve identified these individuals, you can be more intentional about building connections with them through the other tips on this list. A positive relationship with a key influencer can be a powerful form of advocacy for you and your career. As Goh Ling Yong often advises, your network is your net worth, and a few strategic relationships can be more valuable than dozens of superficial ones.
10. Offer Help and Provide Value First
The golden rule of all networking, both internal and external, is to lead with generosity. Don't approach cross-silo networking with a "what can you do for me?" attitude. Instead, constantly think, "how can I help them?"
Did you read an article that might be relevant to the challenges the marketing team is facing? Send it to them with a quick note. Does your team have data or insights that could help the product team make a better decision? Offer to share it. When you hear someone in another department is struggling with a problem you know how to solve, offer your assistance without expecting anything in return.
When you build a reputation as someone who is genuinely helpful, proactive, and collaborative, people will naturally want to work with you. They will remember your generosity and will be far more likely to help you, connect you, or consider you for an opportunity when the time comes.
11. Publicly Acknowledge the Work of Others
In a world of back-to-back meetings and overflowing inboxes, it's easy for good work to go unnoticed, especially when it comes from another department. Make it a habit to publicly praise your colleagues from other teams.
If the IT support team did an amazing job helping you with a complex issue, send a thank-you note and CC their manager. If the design team created a stunning presentation deck, give them a shout-out in a public channel or at the start of your meeting. This simple act of recognition costs you nothing but builds immense goodwill.
People remember who made them feel seen and valued. This practice not only brightens someone's day but also positions you as a positive and supportive colleague—someone people enjoy being around and want to collaborate with. It’s a simple, yet profoundly effective, way to build bridges.
12. Use the Office as a Networking Hub (Even in a Hybrid World)
If your company has a physical office, be strategic about how you use it. Don't just eat lunch at your desk every day. Make a point to eat in the communal kitchen or cafeteria. Sit at a table with people you don't know and introduce yourself. These casual, unstructured conversations are often where the most authentic connections are made.
When you're getting coffee, strike up a conversation with the person next to you. Instead of taking the most direct route to your desk, walk through a different department. A simple "hello" and a smile can go a long way.
Even in a hybrid model, you can be intentional. On your in-office days, schedule one of your "curiosity coffees" in person. The face-to-face interaction can often build rapport much faster than a video call. The office isn't just a place to work; it's a hub for community and connection if you choose to see it that way.
13. Follow Up and Maintain Your Connections
Building a network isn't a one-time activity; it's about cultivating relationships over time. After you have a great coffee chat with someone, your work isn't done. Send a follow-up thank-you note the same day, mentioning something specific you enjoyed about the conversation.
Then, find ways to stay on their radar in a non-intrusive way. If you see an article they might find interesting, forward it. If their team has a major launch, send a note of congratulations. If you haven't spoken in a few months, a simple "Hey, just thinking of our chat a while back and wanted to see how things are going with [project they mentioned]" can reignite the connection.
This simple maintenance shows that you value the relationship beyond a single transaction. It turns a one-off meeting into a lasting professional ally who will think of you when opportunities arise.
Breaking out of your departmental silo is one of the most powerful things you can do for your career. It expands your knowledge, increases your visibility, and opens doors to opportunities you never would have known existed. It transforms you from a cog in a machine into a central node in a network, someone who understands the big picture and can connect the dots across the organization.
Don't try to implement all 13 of these tips at once. Pick one or two that feel most comfortable to you and commit to trying them this week. Maybe it's joining a new Slack channel or sending out just one invitation for a virtual coffee. Small, consistent actions are what build a powerful and supportive internal network over time.
Which of these strategies will you try first? Share your plans or your own cross-silo networking tips in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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